That is the downside of auctions. Its always a roll of the dice. I have yet to get seriously bite but have taken a couple bites of a sh!t sandwitch. Thats why my thoughts have always been when buying pieces that are complex at auction, you need to get a good deal on them just to cover the O' F@ck that sometimes comes home with your purchase.

Yep, auctions are a crapshoot. I have never felt good about buying a high dollar item at an auction. I guess I have been involved in sending too many machines TO the auctions, so I know what goes on. We used to stand around in the back row and laugh at what bidders were paying for worn out machines our company had placed in equipment auctions. Actually though, I felt sorry for many of the buyers, since I knew what they were actually getting.
Nothing like a good "Sherwin Williams Overhaul", to help get top dollar out of a machine.